Blood Moon

What the painting shows

In the foreground stands a dark green, almost black dog with a slim body and a tail curled into a ring, resembling a spitz or a Shiba Inu type. Its outline, legs and muzzle are lit in bright turquoise and blue, and the tip of its nose is golden. The dog is squatting on a thick grey tree branch with its head raised, as if howling at the moon, while doing its business: a shiny golden poo with blood-red drips falls from under its tail.

Behind the dog hangs an enormous moon that fills almost the whole painting. It is pink, magenta and pale cream in the centre, with edges that turn blood red. The background is made of dark burgundy, black and rusty patches, and a second branch crosses the picture diagonally.

The title Blood Moon refers to a lunar eclipse, when the Moon turns red. Combining this mystical motif with a very down-to-earth canine activity creates the absurd, provocative humour typical of the Fart gallery.

Technique and style

A horizontal oil painting made with a palette knife and a thick brush, with heavy impasto texture, especially on the branches and the moon. The golden poo is most likely painted with metallic gold paint or gold leaf that catches the light. The dog's neon, unnatural colours recall Fauvism and Expressionism, and the dark background gives the whole piece a nocturnal, unsettling mood.

At a glance

• Medium: oil paint
• Surface: canvas
• Orientation: landscape (horizontal)
• Dominant colours: magenta, pink, blood red, dark green, turquoise, gold
• Subjects: dog, blood moon, tree branch, night, gold, absurd humour

Fun fact

A study published in Frontiers in Zoology in 2013 found that dogs prefer to align their bodies along the north–south axis when they poop, as long as Earth's magnetic field is calm. Researchers watched 70 dogs from 37 breeds during almost 7,500 "sessions". The dog in this painting, gazing at the sky, may simply have been looking for the right direction.

Want a similar painting?

The Fart studio paints commissioned artwork: portraits of people and pets, landscapes and absurd scenes like this one. You can order a similar piece featuring dog, blood moon, tree branch, starring your own pet, a loved one or your favourite place. Just describe your idea in the contact form and attach a photo.